On what Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti described as the “hottest day of the year,” civic leaders and representatives of every police and fire department in the city and the county this morning kicked off “Run to Remember” a 5-mile race to honor fallen first responders to be held January 24, 2016.
“I was just here 36 hours ago with my family, ” said Garcetti who thanked The Grove developer and former member of the Police Commission Rick Caruso, Founder and CEO, Caruso Affiliated for hosting the race. The race will serve as a memorial to those who deserve to be remembered and honored every year, explained Mayor Garcetti.
Also joining Garcetti were City Councilmen David Ryu and Paul Koretz, Police Chief Charlie Beck, Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas, Chief of Staff Tom Angel, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, and Acting Chief Deputy David Richardson of the L.A. County Fire Department. One official after the other accepted the challenge to run the race though not everyone promised they could finish. Councilman David Ryu, who the Mayor described as matching the “indefatigable” energy level of his predecessor Councilman Tom LaBonge, said he and his staff would run the race and challenged his colleagues to join him. “I know I can start,” said Councilman Paul Koretz, who confessed he could probably run a block but would use the next few months to prepare.
“This is going to an exciting race for runners,” explained Steve Balfour, Race Director. “We are starting at Paramount Studios with paparazzi and a red carpet, then running through the New York set so runners can say they ran the streets of New York and Hollywood.” Water stations along the race route will have different themes of the city and the race will end at The Grove.
The “Run to Remember” began in Boston over a decade ago as a means to honor law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. After years of sending LAPD teams to run in the Boston race, a group of L.A. area officers partnered with the Boston Police Runners Club to establish a west coast version of “Run to Remember” here in Los Angeles. Proceeds from the race will benefit organizations including Operation Progress Los Angeles (www.operationprogressla.org), CHP 11-99 Foundation (www.chp11-99.org), The Sheriff’s Youth Foundation (www.sheriffsyouthfoundation.org), and the LAFD Foundation (www.supportlafd.org)
Major sponsors include The Grove/Caruso Affiliated, Paramount Studios, Outfront Media, Burn 60 Studios and Re-Imagine. The Los Angeles Times will serve as the official media sponsor for the race. Caruso Affiliated and Paramount Studios are providing in-kind support including hosting the two marquee locations along the race route.
